Leucorrhoea is strictly defined as an excessive normal vaginal discharge.
The symptom of excessive is a subjective one with individual variation, while to declare it to be normal and not an infective one, requires clinical and laboratory investigations.
Like the mouth and anus, the mucous membrane of the vagina constantly sheds and replaces its cells, passing them out of the body in the form of mucous secretion. This secretion occurs due to the action of cervical and endometrial glands and also because of the activity of bacteria which live harmlessly in a normal, healthy vagina. On the other hand, an abnormal vaginal discharge may be grey-white, yellow or green, brown or rusty. The consistency may be clumpy and thick or thin and liquid. There is usually a very offensive odor, and it may cause irritation and reddening of the part.
The term leucorrhoea should fulfill the following criteria:
- The excess secretion evident from persistent vaginal moistness or staining of the undergarments (brownish yellow on drying) or need to wear a pad.
- It is non-purulent and non-offensive.
- It is non-irritant and never causes pruritis (severe itching).
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